Celtic New Year
12/30/2018 at 6:00 PM

Zan McLeod and Friends: In this Celtic holiday celebration, renowned D.C.-based Irish musician Zan McLeod is joined by Sean Heely on fiddle, Tracy Jenkins on bagpipes, and Kevin Elam on banjo, whistle, and vocals. Joe Duffey leads his District of Irish Dancers to complete this joyful performance with roots in the Emerald Isle.

D.C. Legendary Musicians Band (DCLM)
12/29/2018 at 6:00 PM

The D.C. Legendary Musicians Band (DCLM)was organized to accompany the performers and vocalists in the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. Band members have performed with Elvis Presley, Wilson Pickett, James Brown, and many more.

Lincoln Congregational Temple United Church of Christ Tribute
12/28/2018 at 6:00 PM

Lincoln Congregational Temple United Church of Christ has been a staple of the African American community of D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood for 150 years, founded by free blacks and newly freed slaves. The church has served as a staging ground for the 1963 March on Washington, and a haven during the riots in 1968. It continued to serve the community until closing its doors in September, due to the influx of new residents to the region and rising cost of living, forcing out longtime residents. In this special performance arranged by Lincoln Temple’s Music Director, Maceo Kemp, and in partnership with Sandra Butler-Truesdale and the D.C. Legendary Musicians, the Kennedy Center celebrates and recognizes the contributions of the church to the D.C. community.

Reese Waters
12/27/2018 at 6:00 PM

Reese Waters, originally from Washington, D.C., was introduced to comedy by his grandmother’s hysterical impressions. He saw the joy that comedy brought to the world and wanted to be part of it. As one of New York Magazine’s “Comedians To Watch,” Waters has appeared on MTV, NPR, Comedy Central, and The Late Show with David Letterman, with unanimous praise for his stand-up. Waters combined comedy with his passion for sports as co-host of The Daily Line and as a correspondent on ESPN’s Sportscenter. In 2017 Waters returned to his hometown to host Get Up DC! To date, it has not been canceled… Leon Scott opens.

Beltway Brass
12/24/2018 at 12:00 PM

Messiah Sing-Along
12/23/2018 at 6:00 PM

IN THE CONCERT HALL

Be part of Washington’s most popular free holiday event, the Kennedy Center’s Messiah Sing-Along. Back by popular demand, the evening concert features conductor Nancia D’Alimonte as she leads members of the Opera House Orchestra, guest soloists, a chorus of 200, and a very enthusiastic audience in Handel’s masterpiece. A family and community tradition since 1971!

Handel's Messiah - Novello Edition will be available for purchase at the Kennedy Center starting a week before the performance.

Free general admission tickets will be distributed in the Hall of Nations starting at approximately 4:30 p.m., up to two tickets per person.

Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington presents: Holiday Sing. A multi-genre celebration of holiday traditions around the world, featuring holiday classics and original compositions accompanied by a 15-piece chamber orchestra and a mass choir. Renowned artists perform alongside underserved youth to benefit arts instruction and inner-city programming that has served the Greater Washington area for more than 135 years.

Free general admission tickets will be distributed in the States Gallery starting at approximately 5 p.m., up to two tickets per person.

Sweet Heaven Kings
12/21/2018 at 6:00 PM

The 9 Holiday Spectacular
12/20/2018 at 6:00 PM

D.C. music initiative Listen Local First (LLF) presents the 9 Songwriter Series led by Justin Trawick, for a night of holiday songs and sing-alongs from nine of D.C.’s best performing artists. LLF is a local music initiative devoted to building awareness and creating opportunities for local musicians to raise the profile of D.C.’s local music scene. LLF supports Fair Trade Music principles and has been working with local government agencies and officials to establish a permanent D.C. local music taskforce to advocate for musician-specific interests within the broader creative economy.

The Lee Boys
12/19/2018 at 6:00 PM

The Lee Boys are one of the finest African American “sacred steel” ensembles. “Sacred steel” is described as an inspired, unique form of gospel music with a hard-driving, blues-based beat. The musical genre is rooted in gospel, but infused with rhythm and blues, jazz, rock, funk, Hip Hop, and country, as well as ideas from other nations.

Zemer Chai, The Jewish Chorale of the Nation's Capital
12/16/2018 at 6:00 PM

Founded by conductor Eleanor Epstein in 1976, Zemer Chai (“Living Song”) is one of the nation’s leading Jewish choirs. The chorale sings the full range of Jewish choral repertoire, from classical and liturgical pieces to world Jewish folk music in multiple languages, and new commissioned works. Zemer Chai takes pride in building bridges to other faiths and cultures, sharing songs of justice, compassion and religious freedom.

Carolina Snowbelles
12/15/2018 at 6:00 PM

This holiday performance is a gift to our audience that features precision style tap and jazz, ballet and contemporary dance, vocal performance and audience interaction. Enjoy the sounds of Christmas as The Carolina Snowbelles perform their signature routines.

Dayramir Gonzalez
12/14/2018 at 6:00 PM

Cuban pianist and composer Dayramir Gonzalez presents a wide spectrum of today’s Cuban music. From classical to danzón to cha-cha-cha to Afro-Cuban jazz, the music is a blend of New York vanguard harmonies and West African sentiments, making for a superb night of listening, clapping, singing along, dancing, and smiling

Mariachi Los Amigos
12/13/2018 at 6:00 PM

Mariachi Los Amigos—prominent in Washington, D.C.’s musical soundscape since 1978—perform what they do best: straight-ahead, traditional mariachi music. The group will be joined by members of the Baltimore-based Mexican folkloric dance group, Bailes de Mi Tierra.

The Millennium Stage was created and underwritten by James A. Johnson and Maxine Isaacs to make the performing arts accessible to everyone in fulfillment of the Kennedy Center's mission to its community and the nation.

Generous support is provided by The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation and The Karel Komárek Family Foundation.

Additional support is provided by Kimberly Engel and Family-The Dennis and Judy Engel Charitable Foundation, The Gessner Family Foundation, The Irene Pollin Audience Development and Community Engagement Initiatives, The Isadore and Bertha Gudelsky Family Foundation, Inc., The Meredith Foundation, Dr. Deborah Rose and Dr. Jan A.J. Stolwijk, the U.S. Department of Education, the National Committee for the Performing Arts, and the Millennium Stage Endowment Fund.

The Millennium Stage Endowment Fund was made possible by James A. Johnson and Maxine Isaacs, Fannie Mae Foundation, the Kimsey Endowment, Gilbert† and Jaylee† Mead, Mortgage Bankers Association of America and other anonymous gifts to secure the future of the Millennium Stage.

Watch more videos

Millennium Stage Calendar

Perform on Millennium Stage

Are you interested in performing on Millennium Stage, or do you have a program you’d like to recommend? In order to be considered, please submit any recent videos of live performance within the last two years, website, Facebook page, or other pertinent information to MillenniumStage@kennedy-center.org.